In 2016, a couple of events occurred in my life that had significant impacts on me and my family. On July 4th, while I was relaxing at my mother-in-law’s home and taking a nap under a tree, a limb fell out of the tree and hit me on the head. But for the chair in which I was sitting having a cover which broke the fall, I am quite certain the limb would have taken my life. Continue reading →

What is the most important estate planning document? Answer: The one estate planning document that everyone 18 and older should have is an Advance Health-Care Directive. It is not the sexiest tool in the estate planning toolbox, but can head off family strife, heartache, and needless attorney’s fees in ways that no other document can. Continue reading →

A frequent problem expressed among adult children is that their parents aren’t truthful with their doctors. While the parent may complain at home of pain, exhibit memory problems and accuse family of theft when he or she can’t locate a commonly used item, the moment the parent faces their doctor a change occurs. Like an actor on stage, the person sitting in front of the doctor becomes animated and charming. My mom was a supreme example. She fell in her apartment—often more than once a week. She had memory problems. She was taken advantage of by telemarketers. She had digestive issues. However, when I took her to her doctor, what I called her “hostess personality” took over. While she may have complained of pain in the car during our drive, the minute she had a chance to tell her doctor how terrible she felt she was perkiness personified. Continue reading →